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Turkish Grand Prix in jeopardy after government pulls funding

December 6, 2012

The Istanbul Park circuit could remain as deserted as this early morning photo shows it in 2011. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

Efforts to revive the Formula One Turkish Grand Prix on the Istanbul Park circuit have been dealt a blow by the national government, which has made it clear that, contrary to earlier reports, it refuses to subsidize the event with public money.

The decision has coincided with the annual FIA prize-giving gala at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, and the December meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in the city.

On Wednesday this week, the WMSC announced that a race in Europe would replace the postponed 2013 Grand Prix of America in New Jersey. Turkey appeared to be the favorite to get the fixture, ahead of France and Austria.

When TOSFED, the Turkish national motorsports body, suggested that the event would be dependent on government funding, the businessman behind the venture, Vural Ak, told media that the government had provisionally agreed to invest $13.5 million (US) every year, and that he would take responsibility of the rest.

But now the Turkish minister of sport, Suat Kilic, has told the Dogan news agency: “The government paid $13.5 million annually to the promoter for five years for the rights. In exchange for that, all the income went to Formula One and the promoter, so the state did not get any benefit from it. The private sector can bring Formula 1 if it wants to, but there is no question of us paying the cost of the rights which have been proposed to a private company.”

“We in TOSFED are making every effort so that Formula 1 races, which have been held seven times in our country until now, can be held at our Istanbul Park track in 2013 and in future years," TOSFED chairman Demire Berberoglu said. "But everybody knows that what is needed for its inclusion in the Formula 1 calendar for 2013 and following years is a guarantee and approval of the required budget at government level.”